The Robot Operating System (ROS) is an open-source framework designed to facilitate the development of robotic software. It provides tools, libraries, and conventions that simplify the process of building complex and robust robot applications. ROS supports various programming languages, primarily Python and C++, and allows developers to create modular code that can be easily reused. ROS enables communication between different parts of a robot's system through a publish-subscribe model, making it easier to manage data flow. It also includes simulation tools, such as Gazebo, which help developers test their algorithms in a virtual environment before deploying them on physical robots.